The Newton Sawmill Company bought the plant in 1907, just before the Panic struck. The stockholders were G. M. Sells, H. R. Jackson, Sam C. Tremble, J. A. Holland, D. A. Ford, and W. E. Lester. The company never operated the mill under its ownership. The Miller-Link Lumber Company of Orange became owners of the Newton Sawmill Company at Newton on September 1, 1908. The mill was reported running to full capacity soon after the Miller-Link purchase, and the output was being sold through the Orange offices of the Miller-Link Lumber Company. D. A. Ford, with former connections to Lutcher & Moore and general manager and partner in Newton Sawmill Company, remained as the plant's manager. The sawmill, according to the Southern Industrial and Lumber Review of July 20, 1909, reported that the Newton plant had been operating at two-thirds time. Capacity had been increased from 40,000 to 60,000 feet and a new tram road constructed into the timber holdings. As supply exceeded demand in 1909 and prices dropped, it was closed that year to protect the Orange plant.
A tragic accident occurred at the plant that emphasized the danger in milling. Walter Bradford from Orange was killed in February 1909 when the sawmill machinery dragged him in and chewed him up.